Frequently Asked Questions on Applying for
(Updated, 14 March 2023)
Question 1: What is the difference for ordinary passport holder applying Chinese Visa before and after the pandemic?
Answer: Besides visa application form, photo, invitation letter, previous China visa record, there are two more new requirements for ordinary passport holder applying for Chinese Visa: firstly, applicants need to fill out the visa application form online and make an appointment online; secondly, applicants need to submit the application in person at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center(CVASC) in Kuching(hereinafter referred to as the Centre) for fingerprint collection.
The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching launched the online form filling and online appointment application system. Visa applicants (except Hong Kong and Macao SAR visa applicants) need to log on to the Chinese Visa Application online form website to fill in the visa application form and log on to the online appointment website to make an appointment for the submission of documents. The appointment information must match the applicant's information. The specific websites are as follows:
Online form: https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn
Online Appointment: https://avas.cs.mfa.gov.cn
Applicants can also complete the online form and make online appointment through the "Quick Access" section of the Visa Application Centre's website. The website address of the Visa Application Centre is:http://www.visaforchina.cn/KCH2_ZH/
Question 2: After completing the online application form and online appointment, is it necessary to submit the application at the Centre?
Answer: Yes. After making the online appointment. please print out the confirmation page and the complete form (8 pages in total, preferable double sided), and sign the confirmation page and item 9 of the form, and submit the application in person with all the required documents (please refer to the Notice on the Latest Requirements for Visa Applications for Foreigners to China, updated on 14 March 2023) at the Centre at the appointment time and retain ten fingerprints.
Please make sure that you arrive at the Centre on time. Upon arrival, please present your reservation slip and obtain a queue number. When your number has been called, please submit your application at the respective counter.The Centre address:2nd Floor, 2 ½ Miles, Wisma Naim, Rock Road, 93200, Kuching, Sarawak.
Question 3: After completing the online form and making an appointment online, can I appoint someone else to submit the visa application documents for me at the Centre?
Answer: Applicants must present personally to submit the visa application at the Centre on time and retain 10 fingerprints. Applicants who are exempted from fingerprint may entrust another person to submit the visa application.
The applicant must be physically in Malaysia at the time of submission of the visa application documents. If you are not in Malaysia then, please submit your application to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General or visa application centre in the country where you are currently staying, or apply after you return to Malaysia.
Question 4: How applicant may be exempted from fingerprint collection?
Answer: The following applicants are exempted from fingerprints collection: Applicants under the age of 14 or over 70; Diplomatic passport holders, or applicants eligible for Diplomatic,Service and Courtesy visas; Applicants who already had their fingerprints collected within the past five years at the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching or the CVASC in Kuching with the same passport; Applicants with all fingers uncollectible.
Question 5: What are the requirements for visa invitation letter?
Answer: The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter.
The invitation letter should contain:
1. Information of the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
2. Information of the visit (purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of stay, arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)
3. Information of the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.)
The content of the invitation letter needs to be true and valid, and there should be no missing items, otherwise the applicant will bear all the responsibilities caused by the return or rejection of the application.
Question 6: How long is the processing time after successfully submitting all the application documents (how long in advance should I submit the visa application)?
Answer: Under normal circumstances, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching can process the visa within 4 working days (in case of holidays, the processing time will be postponed). For special cases, the Consulate General has the right to extend the processing time of the visa (if it exceeds 4 working days, please e-mail the Centre for inquiries). It is suggested that applicants fill in the form online and make an appointment to submit the visa application online about one month before the intended date of entry. If there is no urgent or special reason to go to China recently, it is recommended to avoid the current peak of visa applications and arrange the application time appropriately.
Question 7: Is expedited service available for visa application?
Answer: After the visa application materials are successfully submitted, the visa processing time is: 4 working days for regular applications, 3 working days for express applications, and 2 working days for urgent applications (in case of holidays, the processing time will be postponed). If you require expedited service, please inform the front desk staff at the Centre when submitting your visa and pay an additional expedited fee.
Question 8: If I have an urgent affair to travel to China, can I apply before the appointed submission time?
Answer: You can send an e-mail to the consultation mailbox (kuchingcenter@visaforchina.org) of the Centre, explain the situation, attach corresponding supporting materials and Visa Appointment Confirmation Form to the email. The Centre will reply in time after a comprehensive assessment of the recent visa application volume.
Question 9: What is the visa procedures upon arriving at the visa centre?
Answer: Before proceeding to the Centre, please make sure that you have all the required visa application documents ready (please refer to the Notice on the Latest Requirements for Visa Applications for Foreigners to China, updated on 14 March 2023). Arrive at the Centre on time for your appointment and follow the steps below to complete your visa application:
1. Preliminary review: Show the appointment form, visa application form, original passport, copy of passport information page and other application materials to the information counter staff.
2. Obtain a queue number: After capturing photo on the spot, scanning passport information, kindly obtain the queue number at the information counter.
3. Submission: Submit the application to the application counter (according to the regulations, the Centre will collect the applicant's ten fingerprints on the spot. If an interview is required, the Centre will contact the applicant. Please proceed to the Consulate General for the interview at the designated time slot. After the application is accepted, the counter staff will issue a Payment Notice to be paid at the cashier counter.
4. Payment: After submitting the application, you need to pay the visa fee and service fee in full amount on the same day (bank card or cash payment), and will receive a pick-up form and a Receipt. If the applicant fails to pay the full amount, the Centre will terminate the application and the consequences thereof shall be borne by the applicant.
5. Collection: Please keep the pick-up form properly, and collect the passport on the appointed collection date in person or entrust a third party to collect your passport with the original pick-up form.
Question 10: Is payment to be done upon submission or collection?
Answer: Payment shall be made upon submission. After the visa application documents are successfully submitted, the applicant will pay the fee at the cashier counter with the Payment Notice. The fee includes the visa fee (express fee, if any) charged on behalf of the Consulate General and the service fee charged by the Centre. If the visa application is not approved by the Consulate General, or is refused, or changed, the service fee will not be refunded.
Question 11: How to check the visa application status after submission?
Answer: The Visa Application Centre website provides 24-hour online visa application status service. You can check in the "Quick Access" section under "Status" on the Visa Application Centre website.
Question 12: Can I cancel my submitted visa application?
Answer: Yes. Please note that in case of cancellation of visa application, the service fee paid will not be refunded.
Question 13: What are working hours, address, telephone number and e-mail address of the Centre? What should I do if the consultation number cannot be reached?
Answer: the Centre working hours (working days):
Submission of applications: 9:00 - 15:00.
Submission of express applications: 9:00 - 10:00.
Collection: 9:00 -16:00.
Address: 2nd Floor, 2 ½ Miles, Wisma Naim, Rock Road, 93200, Kuching, Sarawak.
Call: 082-259885 (Weekdays 09:00am-16:00 pm)
Due to the high volume of telephone service on weekdays, if you fail to reach, it is recommended that you make enquiry via e-mail.
Question 14: Is tourist visa open for application:
Answer: the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching resumed the issuance of tourist visas from 15 March 2023.
Question 15: How to understand "resuming the entry function of visas issued before 28 March 2020 which are still valid for entry"?
Answer: According to policy adjustments effective on 15 March 2020, if you hold a Chinese Visa issued before 28 March 2023 which is still valid, you may enter China without re-applying for a new one. If the visa has expired, kindly apply for a new one.
Question 16: Does an APEC card holder require to apply for a visa? Is it required to proceed to the Embassy to complete any formalities?
Answer: Since 24 August 2022, traveler with a valid APEC Business Travel Card physical card was allowed to enter China, and does not need to re-apply for visas to China or go through procedures at the Consulate General. The Consulate General does not accept APEC card applications, please consult relevant government departments in Malaysia for details.
Question 17: Is multiple-entry visa applicable for Sarawak citizens?
Answer: Yes. Besides passport, application form, photo, invitation letter and other visa application materials, Sarawak citizens applying for multiple-entry visas are also required to provide the previous record of Chinese visa issued or the record of corresponding number of visits to China:
1. L-visa (Tourist visa)
(1) 3-month multiple entry L-visa: Itinerary issued by the cruise company.
(2) 1-year multiple entry L-visa: Detailed travel itinerary and corresponding irrevocable air ticket, hotel booking and photocopies of previous Chinese visas and previous records of travelling to China.
2. M-visa (Commercial Trade Activities)
(1) 6-month to 1-year multiple entry M-Visa: A photocopy of previous Chinese visa within 5 years.
(2) 2-year multiple entry M-Visa: A photocopy of previous 6-month to 1-year multiple entries Chinese visa; or photocopies of previous 3 times entry records or more within 5 years.
(3) 3-year multiple entry M-Visa: A photocopy of previous 2-year multiple entries Chinese visa within 5 years; or photocopy of previous 2 visa granted for 1-year multiple entries Chinese visa within 5 years; or photocopy of previous 5 entries records or more within 5 years.
3. Q2-visa (Family visit visa)
(1) 6-month to 2-year multiple entry Q2-Visa: A photocopy of previous Chinese visa issued within 5 years.
(2) 3-year to 5-year multiple entry Q2-Visa: A photocopy of previous 2-year multiple entries Chinese visa; or photocopy of previous 2 visas or more issued for 1-year multiple entries Chinese visa.
4. S2-Visa (Personal matters visa)
For visiting family members for a short period, you may apply for a multiple entry S2-visa with the validity period of not exceeding the validity period of the inviting individual's residence permit.
For private affairs such as inheritance, litigation, having real estate in China, etc.:
(1) 6-month to 1-year multiple entry S2-Visa: A photocopy of previous Chinese visa within 5 years.
(2) 2-year multiple entry S2-Visa: A photocopy of previous 6-month to 1-year multiple entries Chinese visa; or photocopy of previous 3 entries records or more to China within 5 years.
(3) 3-year multiple entry S2-Visa: A photocopy of previous 2-year multiple entry Chinese visa within 5 years; or photocopies of previous 1-year multiple entry Chinese visa for more than 2 times within 5 years; or photocopy of previous 5 entry records or more to China within 5 years.
Question 18: Can foreign nationals from third countries who come to Malaysia temporarily apply for multiple visas?
Answer: Unless otherwise specified in bilateral agreements, foreign nationals of third countries who come to Malaysia temporarily can only apply for a single-entry visa.
Question 19: How to consult the visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival, port visa, visa-free entry into Hainan, visa-free for cruise ships in Shanghai, visa-free entry to Guangdong for foreigners from Hong Kong and Macao, visa-free entry into Guilin, Guangxi for ASEAN tour groups?
Answer: For details, please visit the website of the National Immigration Administration of China or use the service telephone consultation (https://www.nia.gov.cn/) of the provincial immigration management offices.
Question 20: How to apply for a visa to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR?
Answer: Malaysian passport holders who visit Hong Kong SAR for less than 90 days are exempted from applying for visas; Malaysian passport holders can travel to Macau SAR without a visa and the duration of stay is determined by the Public Security Police Force of the Macao SAR. If the purpose of the visit is for residence, work, study, receive vocational training, performing, holding exhibitions, etc., you need to apply for a visa in advance. For details, please visit the website of the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong SAR: www.immd.gov.hk; Consultation telephone: 0085228246111; Website of the Public Security Police Force of the Macao SAR: http://www.fsm.gov.mo/; Hotline: 0085328725488.
If you need to apply for a visa to the Hong Kong SAR or Macau SAR, you can submit application materials to the Visa Application Center. In accordance with relevant provisions of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region, the Hong Kong SAR and the Macau SAR have the rights to carry out immigration control on their own. The final issuance of a visa is at the discretion of the Embassy or the SAR Government, and the Visa Application Centre is not involved in the approval process. Visa Application Centre will charge visa fees, urgent fees, Hong Kong and Macau visa liaison fees (if any), and service fees. The above service fee is non-refundable regardless of visa approval or not.
Question 21: After obtaining a visa, do I need to take a nucleic acid test before boarding? Do I still need to apply for a health code? Do I still need to take centralized quarantine after entering China?
Answer: From 1 March 2023, people on direct flights from Malaysia to China can take antigen tests (including self-tests with kits) instead of nucleic acid tests. If the result is negative, you do not need to apply for a health code from the Consulate General. You should just fill in the "People's Republic of China Exit/Entry Health Declaration Card" through the WeChat mini program "Customs Passenger Fingertip Service", the Pocket Customs APP or the web version (https://htdecl.chinaport.gov.cn).
After arriving at the port, please complete necessary customs clearance procedures with the customs health declaration code. Customs will conduct sampling tests according to a certain proportion and test people with abnormal health declarations or symptoms such as fever. Those with positive test results shall be quarantined at home or in residence or seek medical treatment in accordance with the requirements of the notice. If the result is negative, the Customs will carry out routine quarantine in accordance with the "Border Health Quarantine Law" and other laws and regulations. Those whose health declaration is normal and there is no abnormality in routine quarantine at the port may enter China with no health related requirements .